In a draft as deep as 2012, there's bound to be a few players slipping out of the lottery, which could put Dallas in an interesting position at No. 17.
For example, in the 2008 draft, Roy Hibbert and Javale McGee were both taken off the board at this point.
While there may not be as many centers in 2012, the latest mock draft from Jonathan Givony of Draft Express and Yahoo! Sports has the Mavericks taking a promising young forward:
17. Dallas Mavericks
Terrence Jones: PF, 20, 6-9, 249, Kentucky, Soph.
While almost certainly a top-10 talent, Jones (or one of his power forward counterparts) could pay the price for how deep this draft is at his position. Six power forwards have already come off the board at this point in this mock draft. The Mavericks have other needs, but could have a difficult time passing on a player like Jones, who can do a little bit of everything on the floor and looks ready to play from Day 1.
It's not the first time Jones has been linked to Dallas, and with power forward the deepest position in the draft, Jones may end up slipping far more than his talent would indicate.
He wouldn't be an ideal fit with Dirk Nowitzki already at the 4, but he could step in right into the role Lamar Odom never actually filled with the Mavericks last season.
A scouting report on Jones I wrote for the NBA Draft Toolbox earlier this year. For more on the Mavericks draft plans, stay tuned to the SB Nation Dallas storystream as well as Mavs Moneyball.